The crowning of King Charles III is expected to be a noteworthy event, if only for the interesting lineup that will perform at a concert held in the new monarch’s honour.
“Top Gun” actor Tom Cruise, Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger, and tubby little teddy bear Winnie the Pooh are the newest celebrities to be announced for the Coronation Concert, which will take place in the grounds of Windsor Castle the day following the historic ceremony.
The three had all been to prior royal functions, so this will not be their first encounter with royalty. Princess Diana’s burial was attended by Cruise in 1997, Pooh was invited to a children’s garden party at Buckingham Palace for the monarch’s 80th birthday in 2006, and Scherzinger participated in a pageant to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.
Cruise and Pooh will join “Dynasty” star Joan Collins, singer Tom Jones, adventurer Bear Grylls, and dancer Oti Mabuse in a series of pre-recorded VTs for the coronation, which will honour King Charles’ accession to the throne after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth last year. They will share “little-known facts about the King.”
Paloma Faith, Tiwa Savage, Steve Winwood, Olly Murs, and club DJ Pete Tong, who will play his Ibiza oldies, have all recently been announced for the show. Along with Lucy, recent “The Piano” winner, the concert will also feature the legendary pianist Lang Lang. A spoken word performance by Bollywood celebrity Sonam Kapoor will be used to introduce the Commonwealth virtual choir.
Artists like Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, who were also added earlier this month, will join them. The proceedings, which are being produced by BBC Studios, will be hosted by “Downton Abbey” actor Hugh Bonneville.
“I am incredibly honoured to be a part of such a historic event,” said Scherzinger. “The U.K. has been my home away from home for many years now, so this means so much to me to be lending my voice through the gift of song. The piece I will be singing is such a powerful, moving song. And to be sharing the stage with Lang Lang will be a dream come true; a once-in-a-lifetime performance.”
The King will be enthroned on Saturday, May 6. The evening of May 7 will then feature the Coronation Concert.
